Written by: Dawn Boone, Bartlett Express, July 2006 

She has worked in the competitive news business for the past 12 years. From Fort Smith, Ark. to Tallahassee, Fla. Tran Bui-Smith was making a name for herself as a respected reporter and anchor. Most recently uncovering scams and scoundrels on ABC 24/UPN 30 in Memphis.

“I started as a news assistant in Fort Smith my freshman year in college. I edited video, rolled videotapes and ran the teleprompter. By the time I graduated I was producing. Then the news director gave me a chance and let me report one weekend and I was hooked,” said Smith.

Now she is “hooked” on something else. Being a mom to her 15 month old son, Jackson , and acting as an advocate for children and working moms. At first Bui-Smith was hesitant to leave her job as a reporter.

“I always thought I would continue working after I had a baby. I had big plans for my career. When my maternity leave was up, I went back to work and it was great jumping back into my old job.” said Bui-Smith, “I missed it - going after stories, writing scripts and being in front of the camera.”

Soon that feeling was replaced by a longing to be with her new baby. Bui-Smith began to feel differently about her decision and found she wasn't quite as interested in covering breaking news stories or getting the exclusives anymore. She missed her baby more than she had missed her job and began to struggle with her decision.

“Should I quit my job to stay home with Jackson ? I began to ask myself everyday when I would drop him off at the babysitter,” said Bui-Smith. “I knew other moms were struggling with the same question, but that doesn’t make it any easier. I asked everyone what I should do. No one was willing to tell me. They said they would support me no matter what. That's not what I wanted to hear. I wanted someone to say, ‘ Jackson would be better off if you stayed at home’ or ‘no, you need to keep working.’”

After seven months of soul searching Bui-Smith made her decision. She would leave her fast paced career and stay at home.

“It wasn't hard in the beginning because I was so excited to be at home. It felt like I was on vacation. I could stay in my pajamas all day, play with my baby and take naps when he did. I didn't read or watch the news for about 2 months. It wasn't long before I sensed Jackson was getting restless being in the house all day. I guess I was getting too comfortable being at home.” said Bui-Smith.

It was then she realized she needed to do something to use the skills she had, but also needed to be a mom to Jackson and a wife to Scott, her husband of three years.

“I discovered there are many, many other women in the same situation.” said Bui-Smith.

It was flexibility that she was looking for and a way to stay connected to what was going on outside her home, that is when she began thinking about organizations that may help other moms with the same transitions she was experiencing. Not being one to rest on her laurels, Bui-Smith began to organize and lead.

“My friend Kristen Terrell Landsgaard, who's also a former TV news anchor/reporter approached me about forming a group called TV Moms. We decided to combine our skills as journalists and our experience as moms to provide something informative, engaging and hopefully entertaining. We are now holding panel discussions every other month at the Crescent Club. Our first event was the Breakfast Report featuring local women in politics. It gave our guests a chance to ask four women what motivates and sustains them in their political careers.” said Bui-Smith.

TV Moms isn’t stopping with the Breakfast Report, they intend on having Lunch Reports and Dinner Reports so everyone has a chance to attend when it is convenient for them.

“Some people won’t be able to make it to breakfast, or lunch or dinner. That is why we want to keep it diverse as far as the times. We will also be discussing topics like childcare, children’s and women’s health issues and other topics that include both working and stay at home moms.” said Bui-Smith.

On May 10, 2006 Bui-Smith and her friend Pat Mitchell Worley started a group called Urban Mamas. The purpose - establish a child playgroup that utilizes progressive learning tools and themes. Worley is the president and Bui-Smith is the vice-president. Meeting once a month for a moms night out they plan mommy/child or family activities, show off baby pictures and help with babysitting duties and offer support to each other.

Bui-Smith is also active with the Commission for Missing and Exploited Children (COMEC) for the past three years. For which she was recognized as one of the 50 Women Who Make a Difference by Memphis Woman Magazine this year.

“Because I had covered so many missing children's stories, I knew it was a good organization. Honestly at first I thought I would just attend some meetings, write a few news releases and show up at a couple of events. Then I saw what the executive director Memphis Police Sgt. Len Edwards did for COMEC and I knew I had to do more. I had to give more,” said Bui-Smith, “I want to tell everyone I meet about the important work Sgt. Edwards does everyday. When I became a mom, I became the president of the board of directors and I put my heart into the organization, not only for Jackson , but for all children. I don't ever want a child or child caregiver to feel they have nowhere to turn. They have COMEC.”

When Hurricane Katrina hit, COMEC was hit too. The donations stopped coming and to a small non-profit organization that's been around for 22 years, they depend heavily on private donations.

“I am challenging everyone out there who cares about children to give, even if it's $5 a month. Your donation could pay for some missing children's posters, fingerprint kits or drug test kits. This community cannot afford to lose COMEC,” said Bui-Smith. As for her decision to step out of the limelight and be a full time mom and advocate; she has no regrets.

“The mommy debate is stronger than ever because more women have choices now. My mother did not. She had to work.” said Bui-Smith, whose mother and father escaped the fall of Saigon in 1975 with their three daughters in a small boat that was picked up by the U.S. Coast Guard and then brought to America .

“No matter what choice you make, you’re going to hear an opinion about it. If you work, you’re putting your own needs ahead of your children. If you stay home, you’re wasting your education. I've been on both sides. I do not have opinion for other moms. There's no right or wrong decision, only what's right for you. Do it and don’t apologize for it.”

The organizations Bui-Smith works with reflect who she is. A mom, a journalist, an advocate for children, an immigrant and a professional women.

“I didn’t want to lose my skills or my identity when I gave up my job,” said Bui-Smith, “When I couldn’t find something that fit, I created it with the help of friends. I think anyone can do it. Don’t sit back and wait for something to come along. It may never happen.”